Chapter Nine.
A small creak could be heard shortly after Luka left Gakupo a complete wreck in front of her door. It was followed up by Meiko's motherly tone, whispering out the nickname he so desperately wished only Luka would call him - though he hadn't heard it pass through the pinkette's lips even once.
"Gaku...?" Meiko poked her head out of her room, which was right next to Luka's. She eyed Gakupo for a moment, their gazes locking for several seconds before his wavered, his amethyst eyes filling up with stinging tears. Before he could even blink, Meiko was pulling him down to her level in a hug, her arms wrapping around his body and her hands tangling through his hair so she could force his face against her shoulder, thus muffling his near-silent crying.
Gakupo was barely able to realize that he hugged her back, tighter than ever, his strong arms caging her in so that she couldn't escape. That was why he loved Meiko - not in the same way as he loved Luka, of course - but the brunette was always there - always - to give advice and help someone if they needed it. Despite how mean she could be at times, she was more like a mother than any of the Vocaloids could ever hope to be.
He never cried. Ever. He was tough and strong, and he could handle anything that was thrown at him.
Except Luka.
She'd broken his heart to pieces - ripped it right out of his chest and stomped on it until it couldn't function properly anymore. At least, that was how it felt to him. He wanted her so badly - more than he ever had in his whole life. Not in the way that many perverts - such as Kaito - would think; no, he needed her to accept him so that he would feel complete, would feel whole again. He tried to apologize, but was it not enough? He wondered how it could've turned out like this...especially when he just poured out his emotions right in front of the girl.
She must really not like him. Gakupo bit down on his bottom lip to keep himself from making any noise as he squeezed his eyes shut in anger.
It was Kaito. His fault. His stupid idea was what got him into this mess, and damn it, if it was the last thing Gakupo did, he was going to beat the crap out of the boy.
As if on cue, another door opened, and Kaito's voice joined it. "Dude, you really screwed that u- are you crying?"
Meiko's grip on Gakupo slipped away so that he could turn around and look the blue-haired man straight in the eyes. Those royal blue eyes filled with nothing but mischief - and stupidity. Gakupo glared at him, but Kaito returned it with a smile of some sort - whether sarcastic or genuine, they weren't sure, but still.
"What's wrong, Gaku?" The name was uttered with such a tone that made Gakupo's skin prickle with irritation. Kaito giggled a little. "See, you have to keep using this plan I told you about. She'll come around."
"Listen, I don't hav-"
"Oh, Kaito." Meiko pushed past Gakupo, her voice so sugar-sweet that it was painful - and also, clearly faked. And that was made more obvious by the way she brought her hands together to crack her knuckles so loudly, the sound echoed in the near-empty hall. "I have a nice little...game - if you will - for us to play," she told him as she got closer, her steps agonizingly slow.
Kaito's eyes widened, and without hesitation, his head disappeared again, followed by the slam of a door and the distinct sound of a lock turning.
"Don't even try to lock me out!" Meiko warned, lightly kicking the door to make a bit of a tapping noise that would scare the blue-haired man even more than he already was. "I'll bust the door down, and you know it, sweetheart!" she purred venomously, moments before she gave a fierce kick that - even though Gakupo couldn't see the door from where he was standing - was sure to have knocked it from the hinges. And that theory was quickly supported by Meiko's disappearing into the room and Kaito's totally unmanly screams.
As much as Gakupo wanted to join in on the torture, he didn't have the heart at the moment. He'd be sure to pay him back somehow, but he didn't feel like it right then. Though, Kaito's pleas and screams certainly made him feel a little better about the situation. He decided it would be good to just go to his room and get some rest - that is, if he could sleep. And, after such things occurred, he probably wouldn't be able to. But whatever; as long as no one else saw him like this.
Once in his room with the door shut and locked, he plopped down on his bed and stared down at his lap, almost unable to function. He had no idea what he was supposed to do now. Luka had turned him down; he hadn't anticipated such an outcome, and thusly, his mind would never be put at ease.
Kaito's screams finally faded into nothing but terrified whimpers, and Gakupo could hear his door being slammed closed, along with Meiko's light footsteps and dark chuckle that resounded in the halls.
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Luka wasn't sure what to do after she left him like that. What more was there to do? She'd said goodbye. Even though she loved him with all her heart, it would be better without him in her life, right? After all the grief he'd caused her in the past couple of days, it would be nice to have some peace. To not feel pressured like he made her feel.
But it wouldn't be the same...
She wouldn't even be able to get rid of him completely, anyways. They might still have to sing duets or group songs with the others, and they'd still see each other every day at meals. He'd never be truly gone from everyday life...nor would he be gone from her heart.
Luka pushed aside the thoughts for a moment to congratulate herself. She'd anticipated a meeting occurring between the two, and she'd often thought about what she was going to say if he tried to apologize. She didn't want to be caught up in the drama anymore, so she had to do something.
But, damn it, that makes me in the wrong now, Luka thought irritably. I suppose I could accept his apology, but...I don't want him to get the wrong idea...that I want to be in a relationship. Because I don't. Not at all. Especially not with him after all of this. But she was lying to herself, she knew.
She let out a heavy sigh, though it came out raggedly from her containing all those cries and whimpers. With her slender fingers, she reached up to wipe away the tears that remained in her eyes, the strong ones that hadn't fallen away yet to reveal how weak she truly was. She was sure that her face was red and splotchy - specifically her nose and eyes, and that was why she refused to show such emotion as weakness, because it made her look unattractive. But she got over that thought as she stood up and opened the door.
The noises outside had gone away - she wasn't entirely sure what to make of them, either. The screams and cries sounded a lot like Kaito, but surely Gakupo wouldn't just waltz into the blue-haired man's room and beat him up? Then again, maybe he would.
She shrugged to herself as she made her way down the hall to the room she recognized to be Gakupo's, but once she was there, she felt the pressure weighing heavily on her shoulders. It was like they were going in circles, passing the blame to the other and then being too proud to accept the consequences. That would have to change if this issue wanted to go away.
With hesitance, Luka tapped on the door quietly, trying to make as little noise as she possibly could. She knew he was awake, because she could hear him shuffling around in there. But she was partially hoping to herself that he wouldn't hear her knocking, or just ignore it all together, though she really wanted to set this whole thing straight.
And damn it, even if they tried to stop her, she was going to destroy Kaito tomorrow.
The door opened. She wasn't prepared in the least to be face to face with him again, so soon, but it felt pretty good to be able to look up into his amethyst eyes. Those eyes that were full of pain and sadness and - were they bloodshot from crying?
Oh, I'm a terrible person.
It didn't take two seconds for her to come to that conclusion.
She fidgeted awkwardly in her place, twiddling her thumbs and dropping her gaze to stare at the ground while his own bore into her with confusion and expectations. She looked up at him through her thick eyelashes and pink bangs, her expression clearly an apology.
Gakupo could tell.
And a soft smile quickly made its way to his lips as she mumbled, barely even loud enough for Gakupo himself to hear, "Can I come in?"
He allowed her to do so by stepping aside to allow her the path to enter his room. Luka padded past him on her tiptoes, antsy and nervous, while he closed the door behind her and turned to look at her as she took a seat on the edge of his bed. He wanted to join her there, but instead, he made himself comfortable by leaning up against the wall.
"I appreciate your apology," she said slowly, trying to keep the focus on his actions as opposed to hers - she didn't want to be the one who had to apologize, even if she had acted like a brat. "It means a lot. I..." She lowered her head to stare at her lap. "I didn't know that it was Kaito who persuaded you into this."
"You say that like you know what kind of a person Kaito is," Gakupo stated, tilting his head to one side. He knew that Kaito didn't show that side of him very often.
"I know how he is when he gives advice. I may have gone for some myself once," she admitted, studying her nails like they'd suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world.
"Oh yea? What happened?"
"I said I knew how he gave advice; I didn't say I'd tell you a life story," Luka growled, her eyes narrowed, but she softened up again pretty quickly. She immediately felt guilty, directing her gaze to her feet while he studied her intently. Then, without warning, Luka stood up. "I suppose I should go now...and let you sleep," she whispered, almost sadly.
Gakupo stepped aside and allowed her to pass by him. He watched her with desperate eyes as she turned the knob on the door, barely creaking it open just enough so that she could peek out at the hallway...
And then Gakupo's voice rang firmly in her ears.
"I do love you, you know."
Right then and there, Luka's heart jumped into her throat, beating with a pace so quickly that she was sure he would be able to hear it. Her hand froze on the doorknob, her whole body stiff; she wasn't sure how to respond. She knew how she wanted to respond, but... Luka broke out in a cold sweat, her face flushing, her legs shaking, her lips quivering...
Don't do it, Luka, she told herself, biting down on the inside of her cheek. Don't do it, Luka. Don't do it. Be smart about this.
Luka ignored that voice easily and closed the door again before taking the both of them by surprise...and turning around to embrace Gakupo, leaping up into his arms, her legs hooked around his waist as though they where once lovers. Her hands held his head closer to her while she buried her face in his neck, holding him tightly to make everything seem even more real.
Gakupo, on the other hand, wasn't sure what to make of her actions, but he certainly wasn't going to complain. He held her back, his arms wrapping around her back while his face was in her silky pink hair, breathing in her warm and welcoming scent.
All too soon, Luka pulled away from him and stepped back with a pained smile on her face. She didn't look like she was going to say anything, so Gakupo decided to ask, "What was that for?"
"I..." Luka glanced down at her feet again, red coloring her cheeks again. It seemed like that was all she was doing those days. Then she looked back up to him with a courageous gleam in her eyes, and it was then that Gakupo realized she wouldn't be running from her feelings anymore. "I...think I love you, too."
Gakupo smiled at her even brighter, before he grabbed her by her shoulders and yanked her against him for another hug. But this time, it was even more meaningful. They finally understood each other...were finally on the same page. Their hearts beat together, holding each other like their lives depended on it.
He wouldn't have to cling to her and hope she would give him something that would satisfy his heart for the time being.
She wouldn't refuse his affections anymore because she felt the same way.
The game was over, and they didn't have to worry about what would happen next.
They could act normally, like a normal couple.
And it was all because of Kaito.
HOW'S THAT FOR CHEESY, EH? XD
Yea, I probably will do some kind of epilogue. There's another couple I wanna throw in there. Plus, Kaito needs to get what's coming to him. Although, it'll be set a week or so into the future, maybe longer. :3
.::Review Replies::.
Katize Luka: Lol, everyone agreed with that XD Yea, he is a bit of an idiot. :3 And they ARE absolutely the cutest! (Not as much as Piko and Miki, in my opinion) but Gakupo and Luka are just perfect :3 Thanks for the review~
XXGakupo'sSamuraiPrincessXX: Thanks~ And I hope you liked this chapter just as much(:
DaniChibari: Thanks~ I think he should, too. X3 But I think Gakupo and Luka should be the ones to kill him, not Meiko like I made it xD
ClearCyan: Man, I thought you were mad at ME there for a second. XD Yup, Kaito needs to pay. Luka's just too afraid of being hurt, which I don't think I really made clear, but nyeh. She doesn't know whether she should take the risk and accept Gakupo, or whether she should keep herself from him so she won't end up heartbroken. Mizucchi? *awesomeface* Now that's one I haven't heard before. XD Well...I won't be asking for songs anymore xD *scowls* He...wasn't even wearing pants. XD Nah, not stalkerish. XD I say it to people, any age. Sometimes my mom. But she's used to my randomness, so. XD Yes, your writing is awesome~ Great Mizune? Oh, stop~ YOU HAVE AN ANIME STORE?! Lucky. T_T Lol, you have a Len keychain and you don't even like him that much? XD Hehe, yay~ I love talking to people, but I'm not allowed to PM much so this is like my only way xD Thanks~
Fostersb: Thanks~ Oh, Kaito will get his...it'll be discussed in the next (and last) chapter. :3 No room-locking needed; Luka finally decided to be a man and say what she thought! Oh, wait...xD Thanks for the review~
soiled princez: Leave it to Luka to misunderstand. Hehe~ I see what you're sayin;) Thanks for reviewing!
Standing Alone Still: *nods* Agreed! Luka should've quit being so dang stubborn in the first place! I agree with everything you said in that review, actually, so I don't have much to say to you except thanks for the review~ and for reading~
YellowFluffiesForever22: Lol, I suck at giving hints without giving away the whole ending. But yup~ As you can see, you were right. Luka was a bit offended, but she got over it for Gakupo~ *squeals* Over exaggeration? Hm. *high fives* Congrats on that xD I'm kinda the same way hehe. Awww don't sit in a corner! T.T You're too awesome to sulk in a corner! Thanks~
NeaLureKamui: Aww but momma Meiko came to the rescue first~ But waaait and see what becometh of them. Hehe~
(:Mizune
